The SF80 has landed

I have talked a lot about the mighty SF80 and how large it is but until you stand next to one it is hard to appreciate the difference in scale between it and it's smaller brother the SF68. This is the first SF80 we have built in the UK. 1 hour 15 minutes for Steve is a pretty respectable time for a first effort it think.

Keep you eyes pealed for the new Rainbow website which will be going live at the end of next week where you will be able to find all the information you need about the complete Springfree Trampoline range.

A nice little bit of editorial

I came across this bit of editorial in the March issue of Practical Parenting Magazine.

Bounce Away Boredom

Children gain a sense of achievement and pride as they develop a sense of control over their bodies and trampolines can be a fun way to test out new skills. Just be wary of the type of trampoline your child plays on as some models (Such as those without safety nets and padding over the springs) are notorious for causing injuries.

The award winning Springfree Trampoline features an enclosed safety net to eliminate the risk of bouncing right over the edge and has eliminated the traditional hazards of trampolines: steel springs and hard edges. It also meets the requirements of Australia's peak standards body, although you will still need to supervise play at all times.

These guys obviously know whats, what!

Awards

I have mentioned the awards Springfree Trampolines have won in the last year in various posts so here is the definitive list. Rather impressive don't you think!

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2010 Product of the Year USA

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2010 Product of the Year Canada

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2010 Product of the Year - Judges Choice

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2009 International Design Award, Australia

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2009 Parents Choice Award - USA ________________________________________________________

2009 Family Choice Award - USA

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2009 Kidspot Best Of Award

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2009 Best Award, New Zealand

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We are hoping to make this the year when we add the UK to the list of awards!

For more information on these awards visit the Springfree Website.

Springfree Trampolines are back at Harrods

After a short break to allow space for Santa and his Grotto, the Outdoor Fun room is back up and running at Harrods and of course the centre piece is our Springfree Trampoline.

Even better, it only took a matter of a couple of hours before they had sold their first trampoline of the new decade.

I will be in Harrods tomorrow and will take some snaps but here is what it looked like last year. We will be going live with our new website in 3 weeks and that will also coincide with a small price rise, so if you're thinking about buying give us a call and beat the price rise or buy online at Trampolines.

Another Springfree blog

Life at Springfree is always varied espacially on the installation side. We build more trampolines than you might imagine. Some in very tight corners, some sunk into the ground, some on roof terrances and some indoors.

Steve is our biggest Springfree fan. He unloads containers and considers it good exercise, manages stock, coordinates deliveries and as often as possible goes out building.

Well it seems we are going to learn a little bit more about life behind the scenes of Springfree in Steves new Springfree blog. He's a creative chap so I am sure it will be an interesting and amusing read.

Here is Steve building the first SF68 ever in the UK.

Sssshhhhhh

I remember sleeping in the garden as a child but I don't remember it being as comfy as this! I came accross this photo whilst surfing and couldn't resist posting it. If you have any fun or interesting Springfree photos send them to me and I will post the best.

Springfree Trampoline on Americas Got Talent

Springfree™ Trampoline are proud supporters of ’ACRODUNK’ – basketball trampolinists from America’s Got Talent.Millions of viewers saw the Springfree™ Trampoline on the hit NBC show, when semifinalist.

ACRODUNK used the world’s safest trampoline in their performances. ACRODUNK are known for their fusion of extreme basketball dunking with acrobatic techniques. The group created hype with their bold performances and technique on the show; judges hailing them as “thrilling, dynamic, entertaining and exciting”.

Team ACRODUNK continues to use the innovative Springfree™ Trampoline in their act, enjoying its unique appearance and superior safety features.

Jerry Burrell, President of Impact Entertainment, Inc. and trainer of ACRODUNK is pleased with the safety and appeal the Springfree™ Trampoline adds to their performance.

“The trampoline looks new and fresh, while providing a great performance, which is what ACRODUNK is all about.”

But Mr Burrell has a message for all those keen to try their stunts at home, “Our team has had intensive training and we’re good at what we do, but jump safe on your Springfree Trampoline and leave the stunts to us! These tricks are not to be performed in your backyard or on the Springfree Trampoline!"

ACRODUNK are now performing at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas with other finalists from America’s Got Talent. You can follow them on Facebook.

Springfree jump for joy with another award!

In breaking news, Springfree™ Trampoline has been awarded with the 2010 Children’s Product of the Year Award USA.

Hosted in 28 countries, Product of the Year is the world’s largest consumer-voted program that recognizes innovation in consumer packaged goods.

In its second year, over 60,000 American shoppers voted on products in a survey conducted by TNS. Springfree™ Trampoline was just crowned as the Product of the Year in its category at the Awards Ceremony hosted by Phil Lemper in New York City.

Springfree™ Trampoline is the only trampoline design that has effectively removed the risk of product induced injury. With over 200,000 kids injured worldwide each year on spring-based trampoline designs, for every 15 Springfree™ Trampoline’s sold, one child is kept out of hospital. Springfree™ Trampoline’s Global Marketing Director, Kristen Hill accepted the award on behalf of the company.

“On the tail-end of such a highly sought-after and recognized award, Springfree™ Trampoline could not be launching into the North American Market any better.”

“This Award reflects Springfree™ Trampoline’s commitment to safety and innovation and the independent voting process is a testament to parents’ belief in choosing the safest products for their children.”

“We are honored to be receiving this international success but also thrilled that consumers recognize and appreciate the innovatation that is Springfree™ Trampoline,” Hill Says.

Just last week, Springfree™ Trampoline was named 2010 Canadian Product of the Year – Around the Home category and was also recognized as the judges’ number one choice on top of the category crown.

About Product of the Year

Product of the Year is the only consumer product award that rewards innovation and is voted on by real consumers. Established 22 years ago in France, POY currently operates in 28 countries with the same purpose: Guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation. Backed by the votes of 60,000 consumers, the distinct red POY logo serves as shortcut for shoppers in the supermarket, saving them time and money. For manufacturers of the winning products, the award is a powerful marketing message proven to increase retail distribution and sales by an average of 10-15%. Product of the Year accepts entries every year from consumer packaged goods that demonstrate innovation and were launched within the previous year. Entered products are then placed into specific categories such as food, beverages, personal care, household care, etc. with a product then being chosen as a winner in its category through a nationally representative online study. For more information visit www.productoftheyearusa.com

There's a new game in town!

The team at Springfree Australia had a great time at the Australia Open and everyone loved playing Tennis Springfree Style. So we thought we would share the gist of the game with you as you could alwasy make some minor changes and play it home. The only difference would be one player in the Springfree™ Trampoline and the other on the outside.

If you have any other games that you like to play on our Springfree™ Trampoline please share
Items Required:

2 Springfree Trampolines
2 Tennis Rackets
Lots of Tennis Balls
Chalk

Rules
The rules of Trampoline Tennis are quite simple.

Rule 1. Each opponent stands on a trampoline (1 opponent to 1 trampoline). The player who delivers the ball to start the point is called the server. The player who standing on the opposite trampoline from the server is the receiver.

Rule 2. The right to serve, receive, choose your side, or give the opponent these choices is decided by a toss of a coin or racquet. If the choice of service or receiver is chosen, the opponent chooses which trampoline they want to start on.

Rule 3. The server shall stand behind the marked chalk line. The server shall not serve until the receiver is ready. Serves are made from behind the marked chalk line and must land inside the chalked mark line of the opponents trampoline. If the server misses his target twice, he loses the point. If the ball hits the net and goes in the marked chalk line, another serve is granted. If the server steps inside the marked chalk line before contact is made, the serve is deemed a fault.

Rule 4. The receiver is deemed ready if an attempt is made to return the server’s ball. The receiver can stand where he likes but must let the ball bounce inside the marked chalk line. If the ball does not land inside the marked chalk line, it is deemed a fault and a second serve is given. If the ball is hit by either opponent before the ball bounces, the server wins the point.

Rule 5. The server always calls his score first. If the server wins the first point, he gets a score of 15. Scoring is done like a clock. See example below. Love means zero in tennis. The second point is called 30. The third point is called 45 (now-a-days known as 40) and game is won when the score goes back to love. If the score is 40-40, also known as deuce, one side must win by two points. Advantage-In means if the server wins the next point, he wins the game. Advantage-Out means the receiver has a chance to win the game on the next point.
LOVE 15-30-40

Rule 5. After the game, the opponents serve. Games equal 1. The first to win 2 games wins. If the score is 2-6, a tie-breaker is played. The tiebreaker continues until one side wins by 1.

Rule 6. If the ball goes into the net, or outside the marked lines on the trampoline, the player who hit that ball loses the point. If the ball hits the net during the point and goes into the opponents trampoline, the ball is in play. A player loses the point if they touch the net, drop their racquet while hitting the ball, bounce the ball over the net, hit part of the surroundings such as the tree, person, ground, the ball touches them or their partner, they deliberately try to distract the opponent.

Rule 7. A let is called during the point if a ball rolls on the trampoline or there is a distraction from someone besides the players on the court.

Rule 8. A ball that lands on the marked chalk line is good.

Rule 9. If players serve out of turn or serve to the wrong person or court, the point or game will stand and order will be resumed following the point or game.

Wikipedia

I have tried once or twice over the last couple of years to get a mention of Springfree Trampolines on Wikipedia and what ever I have tried to add has been almost instantly taken down. It seems that the clever people at Springfree HQ have made a little progress and at least Keith Alexander now has a mention.

It's a start I suppose and reads ....

As with competitive trampolines recreational trampolines are usually made using coiled steel springs to provide the rebounding force. New Zealander Dr. Keith Vivian Alexander of the University of Canterbury designed a trampoline which replaces the springs with cantilivered pultruded fibreglass rods to provide the rebounding force. This spring free design allows the steel jumping frame to be placed below the jumping plane so safety is claimed to be improved

Don't Forget that the new range is now live and to receive a flier in the post call 08444 938080 or visit the website

Trampolining and Autism

In January I posted about how trampolines benefit children with Autism and I recently came accross the passage below. It is really interesting to see how theraputic trampolining can actually be;

Jan Johnson talks about Jacob, Aged 6.

"Jacob (now 6 Years old) was diagnosed a few years ago as having high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder with Persuasive Development Delays. His physiotherapist recommended last year that he use a trampoline to improve his low muscle tone. He went for a review recently and his physio said his leg muscle tone had improved significantly and he can do a lot more hops and jumps on the ground.

The safety netting on the Springfree Trampoline has been very good as Jacob tends to throw himslef back and forth and gets off balance. Also Having no springs has made it safer. The structure is very solid and sound and I don't worry about it cracking or breaking. The Springfree Trampoline has not only been a useful tool physically but also emotionally.

Jacob has also learnt to share his Springfree when he has friends over to visit. Because of his developmental delays, he is still learning social skills. He is very chatty and loves to tell people about trains. Jumping and taking turns ont he Springfree is a way to break his obsessive talk and introduce alternate topics so that he learns about interacting with other children"

Karen Cockburn demonstrates Springfree

I posted earlier about Springfree Trampoline winning the Judges choice at the first ever Canadian Product of the Year Awards, well here is 3 times Olympic medalist Karen Cockburn showing off some of her skills at the presentation.

Of course we are a supple bunch at Rainbow and if only my ankle wasn't still injured I would be giving that move a go myself. Never mind.

Is the housing market hotting up?

Over the past couple years we have seen, at Rainbow, a significant reduction in the number of Rainbow Play Systems that we are moving from one house to another. This is of course because fewer people have moved house during this time.

We are, however, starting to see things change and we have never been as busy as we are now moving Rainbow Play Systems from one house to another. What is interesting is that we are starting to see people wanting their Springfree Trampoline moving as well. This is something I always stress to people when talking to them about our products. They are making an investment that will be used and used and used for the kids lifetime as kids so it is crucial to make the right choice.

Let's be honest for a minute. You could go out this afternoon and buy an 'El Cheapo' trampoline and little Johny (aged 6) would think you're the best parents in the world. The problem is that when Johny is 10 and baby sister, Florence is 3 you will most likely being trying to decide whether to simply bin the tattered, rusty, squeaking, wobbly trampoline in the garden and risk breaking the little darlings hearts or is it maybe safe enough, if they're careful, for a little longer.

'El Cheapo' trampolines do not last. Springrfee Trampolines do! They are the next generation and are changing the way people view the industry. I only wish I'd been clver enough to have invented them!

Visit one of our showrooms to try before you buy. For more information call 08444 938080 or visit the website http://www.rainbowplay.co.uk/